\(\huge e^{i\pi}+1=0 \)
by Charlie Marion and William Dunham
Before we let you get away,
Your choices set in stone,
Consider what we have to say:
E.T.! O, please! Call home!
Stop the presses! Hold that thought!
And listen to our voices.
Ruffled, even overwrought,
We’ll supplement your choices.
Old Archie, Isaac, C. F. Gauss–
Though each deserves a floor
In mathematics’ honored house,
Make room for just one more.
Without the Bard of Basel, Bell,
You’ve clearly dropped the ball.
Our votes are cast for Euler, L.
Whose OPERA says it all:
Six dozen volumes — what a feat!
Profound and deep throughout
Does Leonhard rank with the elite?
Of this there is no doubt.
Consider how he summed, in turn
The quite elusive mix
Of one slash n all squared — you’ll learn
he got π2 slash six.
\( \zeta(2)=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{1}{n^2} = \lim_{n \to \infty} (\frac{1}{1^2}+\frac{1}{2^2}+\frac{1}{3^2}+\cdots+\frac{1}{n^2}) = \frac{\pi^2}{6} \)
We’re shocked we did not see his name
With those you justly sainted.
No Euler in your Hall of Fame?
Your judgment’s surely Taine-ted.
It’s time to honor one you missed,
To do your duty well.
Add worthy Euler to your list,
And save him by the Bell.
- Reprinted from the Mathematics Magazine, Vol.70, December, 1997, p.326
- The Genius of Euler: Reflections on His Life and Work
- Charlie Marion is a high school teacher
- Euler is also celebrated by the Lutheran Church on their Calendar of Saints on May 24.